Replay: Chat with MSU beat writer Joe Rexrode

Joe answered readers' questions July 22, 2013

James, glad to hear I still have a job. I'm so excited about it, I'm thinking two chats this week -- right now and then Friday afternoon to put a bow on Big Ten proceedings. With that much chatting in one week, I'll try to spread the bad jokes around a little bit, OK?

Chatting is just like falling off a bike ... you never forget how to do it.

by James Jahnke7/22/2013 2:00:46 PM

Football week but let's start with hoops. I'd like to make one change to my prediction. I'll go Alexander, Booker, Ulis and Reid Travis. Sound good?

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:00:56 PM

Joe-Have you changed your feeling about Cliff A? Seems Kansas is the favorite now. No OV to MSU

by nysparty7/22/2013 2:01:00 PM

Well, maybe this will just be a hoops recruiting chat. ... I'm sticking with my pick but I realize Kansas is making a strong push. The OV thing is weird, but it seems like he's using those on places he can't drive. Many twists ahead (as expected all along), but I think it's a big mistake to think MSU is out of it.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:02:37 PM

Other hoops questions out there and I'll get back to them. But we've got football going this week with the Big Ten meetings in Chicago. And this morning, Big Ten writers including our Mark Snyder and yours truly, made some picks.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:03:28 PM

James, can you link that? Last time I tried to link something on here, I accidentally bought a dresser on Craig's List.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:03:55 PM

Hey Joe, this morning from the only colors: "My belief has been that Maxwell is the better quarterback when the pieces around him are working. When the line is blocking and the receivers are getting open and holding into the ball." In any BCS program, you just cannot count on things working perfectly - being able to handle pressure and make good decision qualifies you to start at quarterback, not deciding whether you should win it. I'm worried that MD's loyalty to Maxwell could cost MSU at least one game, hopefully not two, before he'd consider a switch. What do you think will force MD to make that choice?

by VASpartan7/22/2013 2:04:15 PM

Great to hear from you, VASpartan! I think if Cook comes out in camp and outplays Maxwell, Dantonio might make the choice. I think both will play in games. I think Maxwell will start, because to this point, he has clearly outperformed the others in practice. Maybe Cook is ready to get after him. But I think it's more day to day evaluations than loyalty that have kept Maxwell No. 1 to this point.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:06:41 PM

So, if the WR's didn't have all those drops last year, are we even having the conversation about starting QB's or would Agent 86 be even more of a lock to start?

by USMCSpartan(Ret.)7/22/2013 2:06:57 PM

I think we're still talking quarterbacks because drops weren't the only issue. Then again, maybe with fewer drops, Maxwell's confidence goes in a different direction last year.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:07:33 PM

Joe, gotta ask, what are you hearing is coming out of this Ohio State press conference?

by Mike the Snake7/22/2013 2:07:36 PM

Lots of smoke about players in trouble but I haven't seen anything solid yet. Great start to the week for Urban Meyer.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:08:00 PM

The FB shedules for 2016 and 2017 were recently released. How do you feel about the regular season ending game rotating between PSU, Rutgers and Maryland?

by Bobby7/22/2013 2:08:11 PM

I think it's unfortunate. I assumed MSU-Penn State would return as an every-year-end-of-year game. Instead, MSU is going to be a floater.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:08:49 PM

I am calling Terry to start by 3rd game. Am I crazy? This offense is bad as is

by nysparty7/22/2013 2:08:55 PM

I'd be shocked by that. I would not be shocked if he is active and has a role, but I'd be shocked if he's starting by then. I still think redshirt most likely scenario for him.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:09:37 PM

What is your feeling about Coach Dantonio's off season moves of changing the coaching staff and potential changes to the offense?

by Geltman7/22/2013 2:09:42 PM

It appears the Burton move has already paid off in recruiting, and the defensive linemen have embraced it. Still hard to say on the full Bollman impact. And it will be very interesting to see just how tweaked that offense is.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:10:31 PM

So, I don't know.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:10:40 PM

Any word on Skyler Burkland's injury and his return, and if not, when do you think the decision will be made?

by Bobby7/22/2013 2:10:44 PM

We'

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:10:47 PM

oops

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:10:51 PM

We'll get an update Wednesday.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:10:57 PM

Coach d has already said that the best players will p,ay. Our offense last year had a perfect storm of problems and coach d is not goi g to allow that to happen again.

by Js7/22/2013 2:11:02 PM

How does it feel to be covering a darkhorse BCS national title contender...

by headeast7/22/2013 2:11:06 PM

That was interesting, I thought. I can buy that, if a whole bunch of stuff breaks MSU's way on offense. The schedule is definitely favorable. The defense should be great. The offense ... just so many questions. But could I see this team "finding the inches" and winning a bunch of 16-13 games? Sure.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:12:08 PM

I know this isn't the most exciting of questions, but what should we expect out of the kicking game this year. Obviously, Sadler has the punting and tweeting under control. But offensive woes aside, we lost a handful of games because of missed kicks last year. Will Muma be adequate? Will the kid from Ohio get a shot?

by Theman5x7/22/2013 2:12:16 PM

I'm very excited by this question.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:13:08 PM

At this point, Muma appears to be third. Kevin Cronin beat him out in the spring. And, of course, Michael Geiger is here to try to win the job as a freshman. He'll get more than a shot, I'd call him the favorite to win the job. Huge story line this season.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:14:20 PM

OK, let's see if this works so y'all can read what the writers think...

Click on that and try it. To sum: OSU clear favorite. U-M edges Nebraska in total points in Legends. U-M and Nebraska both get 14 first place votes, MSU gets 4. We were allowed to pick ties.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:15:19 PM

How do you think the tight end situation will eventually end up? Who's getting the starting nod, and who's the main backup?

by k7/22/2013 2:15:24 PM

I think Gleichert starts and I think it's wide open after that. And really, it's wide open across the board. Major concern and fall camp story line. Lots of "major story lines" so far, eh?

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:16:09 PM

Elsworth always seems to make plays, but could Dantonio's assertion that he doesn't want all his backup LBs to be seniors actually cost him key playing time this year?

by k7/22/2013 2:16:24 PM

That's a good point. I think Elsworth will definitely still be in on goal line and in other situations, he's too valuable to keep off the field. But there probably will be some snaps that go to freshmen that would have gone to him.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:17:20 PM

What do you think about that "most likely to disappoint" vote, Rexy?

by Midwestern Bro7/22/2013 2:17:44 PM

Yes, MSU won that with six votes (26 writers voting). U-M was second with five. Interestingly, MSU also got two votes as surprise team in a positive way. My take: People just don't know what the heck to expect from MSU, because the offense is a complete makeover.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:18:38 PM

Joe, what are you expecting out of Jim Bollman in year 1?

by Tom Gunnells7/22/2013 2:18:53 PM

I think he will have a clear impact on offensive scheme and offensive line play. I don't know how it will work out, but his presence will be felt.

by Joe Rexrode7/22/2013 2:19:40 PM

Has Lawrence Thomas found his position yet? And if he has is it bc that's where he's best, or that's where a need is that he can fill? My hope is for the former.

by MSUDersh7/22/2013 2:19:42 PM

I think D-line was always the right position for him. Incredibly mobile for that size, but very few guys can play LB at 290. Now, you could argue that he could be a dynamite tight end, but I think DT is where his future in football lies.